Plant protecting and regulating compositions – Plant growth regulating compositions – Organic active compound containing
Patent
1999-04-07
2000-08-22
Clardy, S. Mark
Plant protecting and regulating compositions
Plant growth regulating compositions
Organic active compound containing
504362, A01N 2530, A01N 5702
Patent
active
061072494
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to glyphosate formulations and in particular to low-foam glyphosate formulations. Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine) in the form of the acid or its water-soluble salts is a widely used herbicide which is commercially available in a variety of formulations. Many more formulations have been proposed in the patent or academic literature. Except in a few limited markets for which the herbicide is sold diluted and ready to use, glyphosate formulations are generally concentrated and designed to be diluted prior to use. The concentrated formulation will normally contain one or more surfactants which are designed not only to improve biological activity but also a whole range of physical parameters such as stability, sprayability, wettability of the plants, rainfastness and many other factors. Modern formulations are therefore complex and may contain a number of different surfactants and adjuvants. Ideally, all components are built in to the concentrate which is then simply diluted ready for use. However, in commercial practice the concentrate must be able to withstand storage for prolonged periods and at extremes of temperature without adverse effect such as the separation of the components. It may not therefore be possible to include all desired components within the commercial concentrate and it is often the case that the concentrate will contain one or more of the principal surfactants or adjuvants and that others will be added during the tank mix when the concentrate is diluted prior to use.
Surfactants and adjuvants are designed to improve biological and other factors by altering the interfacial properties of the composition and a problem frequently encountered with agrochemical formulations is that of foaming of the concentrate or, more commonly, foaming in the spray tank when the composition is diluted. Foaming may be exacerbated when the dilution of the composition is accompanied by agitation to ensure efficient mixing of the concentrate in the water. Foaming is not generally an insurmountable problem and may be controlled by efficient spray tank design and appropriate dilution and mixing methods. Anti-foam additives may also be used but such anti-foams are expensive and may themselves be incompatible with the composition. Furthermore once foam starts to be produced, high levels of anti-foam may be required to control it. Excessive foaming can be very annoying for the user and may result in the loss of active ingredient or of surfactant which may concentrate in the foam, thereby reducing bio-activity. Foaming may also introduce undesirable delay before the spray solution is ready for use since the farmer must wait for the foam to subside before continuing to fill the spray tank
There is a need therefore for a glyphosate concentrated formulation which combines high biological activity and other desirable features with low-foaming properties in the concentrate and on dilution of the concentrate with water. A low-foam composition which is storage stable and which contains all desired adjuvants and surfactants, requiring the addition of no extra components in the tank mix, presents a particular challenge. The difficulty of obtaining a such a composition increases still further as the concentration of the composition is increased to meet the market need for high strength formulations.
According to the present invention there is provided a low-foam composition comprising (i) N-phosphonomethylglycine acid or a water-soluble salt thereof (ii) an alkylglycoside surfactant and (iii) a quaternary ammonium salt surfactant.
The low-foam composition is preferably a physically stable concentrate suitable for dilution and application as an agricultural spray.
The quaternary ammonium salt surfactant is suitably a compound of formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.- wherein X.sup.- is an agrochemically acceptable anion, for example a halide anion such as chloride or bromide and either (i) R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 which may be the same or different are lower alkyl groups such as methyl or
REFERENCES:
patent: 5612285 (1997-03-01), Arnold
patent: 5888934 (1999-03-01), Townson et al.
Clardy S. Mark
LeCroy David P.
Zeneca Limited
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